Dexter Torsion Axle Lift Kit

[Zybane]

Anyone know what # Dexter axles the 2015-2017 Classic's use?

I'm going to put a lift on mine.

[GCinSC2]

Zybane,

Not sure. Might look at your axle tag. It should have quite a bit of info on it.

If you are going to do it, it can be a DIY job if you're up to it. The only installation suggestion I have other than bandaids is to scribe a line from a reference point up on to the frame. This ref will help you out the axle back in the same place, hopefully.

Been there, done that. ONCE!

[Thiss]

I didn't use the lift kit this thread is meant for. But here is how mine sits today.





I think it is too tall. I asked the shop to put it at 19.5 to 20 inches. I got 21 and some change. I am going to ask them to bring it lower about 2 inches.

[J. Morgan]

Imho, in time you will not regret leaving it right where it is.


Gradiens super tenui glacie.

[Thiss]

J. Morgan I appreciate your encouragement. I had them drop it down. I asked for 2 and they gave another 1.5 without cutting the frame rails. My inside coupler height is now 20.5



I wish it were a touch lower, but I will load it up tomorrow with water and other stuff and see where it sits.

[nickclifford]

oh wow, that looks very high, but compared with regular trailers, it's still low probably. I had new axles installed and had them come with max lift possible, but I'd still like another 1.5 2" I think .... still want to retain the classic look but with more flexibility for awkward gas stations etc ... !

[nickclifford]

The biggest concern for me, is the weight distribution set up, it just seems so low to the ground ... I haven't had any issues but then again haven't really put it to the test ... ! I'll snap a pic next time ...

[Thiss]

It does look high. I am getting more used to it though. I wish it were one inch lower.




The trailer body is just about dead level with the rocker panels. The Airstream probably still hold the lower COG because of the water tanks. I have only towed short distances this far.

[explore more]

I think it looks great.

[nickclifford]

i think you could really get used to that look, and super handy for off-roading etc .. how many inches from the ground now? I'm going to see if i can do same to mine, but not quite as much ...

[switz]

After all this body jacking around, remember the lowest part that can be only changed by larger diameter tires is the distance between the ground and the bottom of the axle(s).

[explore more]

That'd be true if the lowest point were the bottom of the axle tubes. However, from the factory, the lowest point are the tanks, which sit about 3" below the bottom of the axle tubes.

This lift raises the tanks (and everything but the axles) 3", so they sit about even with the bottom of the axle tubes.

You are correct that you won't gain any clearance under your axle tubes, but those are the least likely points to hit the ground on any trailer anyway. This is especially true of dexter axles, that already are raised in the middle, to improve ground clearance. Plus, the entire trailer pivots on the axles.

Even if you were to drive straddling your tires over a bowling-ball size rock, it'd hit your tongue/jack/spare area before it ever got back to the axles. In my experience, you want to put your tires ON the biggest obstacles on the trail, not straddle them.

Bigger tires are the only thing that will increase the distance from the ground to the axles, but in my experience, that's not the problem; I doubt anyone has a problem with their axle tubes hitting obstacles - it's the tanks, tail, and tongue that need to be raised. And the 3" dexter lift raises all of these 3" out of harm's way.

[NoResults]

As per Explore More above. That is the reason I put the dexter lift kit on my trailer and also went from 14 wheels to the 15. This solved my hitting the back bumper and some times the hitch because of a dip in the driveway approach. It probably will help in travels are all approaches are not nice and level.

Don't notice any difference in towing.

Dave

[ijustlee]

Hi Thiss! How did you raise your trailer and then lower it back a little? What kit or just square stock? I could really use your first ride height!

[tjdonahoe]

I am installing dexters 2 7/8" kit for the No. 11 axles on our 13 31' classic, front axle on the rear
2 bolts on each side ,I welded a tab to keep them from turning ,there is no way to get a wrench in there to hold them, my scribed marks are aligned up, both sides are back 1/16". I do wonder about changing the integrity of the mounting. My 17 ram ball is at 21 7/8" , trailer was 20" , now it will be at 22 7/8, hitch will be going down 1" , instead of going up hill 1 7/8". I do have the lowest 2 1/2" drop hitch I could find...

[jayseejay]

Hi TJ. Sounds like you are well on your way on the lift project, but you mention that you have the "lowest 2 1/2" drop hitch" you could find. I had a ball height problem similar to yours, and found online a whole range of Reese Drop Shanks that provided a drop of up to 8", like this one:



Just wanted to make sure you were aware of this option. Best of luck with however you proceed.
Joe

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by jayseejay

Hi TJ. Sounds like you are well on your way on the lift project, but you mention that you have the "lowest 2 1/2" drop hitch" you could find. I had a ball height problem similar to yours, and found online a whole range of Reese Drop Shanks that provided a drop of up to 8", like this one:

Attachment 280615

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of this option. Best of luck with however you proceed.
Joe

. I do have of them also, is very sloppy fit, the ram is 2.5 ", with the adapter it is pretty loose. Front axle finished, rear axle will be easy

[Thiss]

Originally Posted by ijustlee

Hi Thiss! How did you raise your trailer and then lower it back a little? What kit or just square stock? I could really use your first ride height!

Sorry for the super late reply.

I didn't use any kit. I had the axles replaced, and the the new ones were not a direct boat in. The truck shop that did the work had to build mounting plates and they still had a bit of room to lower. I do wish I had them notch the frame rails and get the whole rig a touch lower, or that I didn't use the 32deg down angles on the torsion axles and went for the 26 degree.

The extra height is most noticeable at the hitch and at the bumper. No more banging the hitch on a parking lot speed bump, or dragging tail on driveways.

[Thiss]

Husky makes a 2.5 inch x 2 inch shank. They have three different lengths. I will be buying one soon.

[pteck]

Just got my '07 27FB Ocean Breeze lifted last week. #11 axles, so used the Dexter K71-724-02 kit which gives 2.875" lift. Along with my upsized 235/75/15 tires (from stock 225/75/15), I have a total of 3" lift.

Motivation was that my tow vehicle's hitch is higher up. I have a Lexus LX570 with a mild 1" lift provided by upsized 33" AT tires. The Lexus has a sophisticated 4-wheel hydraulic lift and leveling capability so it doesn't sag with load, which also keeps the hitch that much higher than normal.

Rather than use a large drop shank, figured I match the trailer to the tow vehicle, which opens up lots of boon-docking options. Plus I hate dragging the hitch and rear end of the AS.

Lift was done without too much trouble. I have a welder, but was pleasantly surprised I could access the blind nuts at all positions with the open end of a wrench. Lots of creeper work, and took a bit to get at all the bolts, but no problems to speak of in the end. One tip would be to lift the trailer higher than you would expect for just the 3" lift. Helps also in working under the trailer.

Top of the tire is now about 3 fingers below the fender line of the AS when set back on the ground. The dexter axles are now about the same height as the bottom of the tanks, whereas they were plenty inset before. With the additional clearance below the trailer, I'm thinking to add some width wise storage units (5x5" vinyl fence posts) to store things like area rugs that don't fit well elsewhere.

While I was in there, did a full brake and bearing pack job.

Very happy the lift. In addition to the obvious benefit, it's also easier on my back to access all the various hatches and dumping.

Requisite picture: